Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that 2,126 children, who had been deported by Russian authorities, have been successfully returned to Ukraine from occupied territories and Russia. This statement was made during his address at the Civil Society and Expert Day forum on April 30, as reported by the presidential office.
Zelensky highlighted the efforts of the initiative ‘Bring Kids Back UA,’ which has facilitated these returns. He emphasized the importance of continuing this work, stating, “We have involved strong international intermediaries to bring children home.”
The president pointed out the urgency of repatriating these children, as many have been forcibly taken from their families. He expressed concern that the longer they remain in Russian custody, the more likely their identities and cultural ties to Ukraine could be altered.
“This is one of the most cynical war crimes committed by Russia – the systematic and calculated removal of Ukrainian children, scattering them across Russia, concealing their fate, and attempting to erase their culture and identity,” Zelensky remarked.
He also extended gratitude to the countries participating in the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, acknowledging the support from leaders, diplomats, international organizations, and journalists.
The Civil Society and Expert Day forum, organized by the ‘Bring Kids Back UA’ initiative, was held for the first time and gathered representatives from various NGOs, experts, and researchers focused on the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Key discussion topics included identifying the whereabouts of the children, mechanisms for their return, and accountability for those responsible for the abductions.
In March 2025, the presidential office reported that approximately 1.6 million Ukrainian children were believed to be in Russia or in temporarily occupied territories.
According to Daria Gerasimchuk, the president’s commissioner for children’s rights, as of late March 2023, Ukrainian authorities were aware of over 19,500 children being taken from occupied areas to Russia. However, accurately determining the total number remains challenging due to ongoing occupation.
On April 5, 2023, representatives from 49 countries condemned Russia for holding a Security Council meeting regarding the alleged legal justifications for the abduction of Ukrainian children. The UK blocked the broadcast of remarks made by Russia’s children’s rights commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, at the UN, calling for her to be held accountable in The Hague.
The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine noted that there is currently no clear protocol or mechanism in place for the return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia.
On March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for President Vladimir Putin and Lvova-Belova, suspecting them of illegal deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children.
President Zelensky announced the return of 2,126 Ukrainian children from Russian occupation, highlighting ongoing efforts to repatriate those forcibly taken. The initiative 'Bring Kids Back UA' aims to address the broader issue of child abductions amid the conflict.